Chamber of Commerce Launches Ad Blitz in Nine House Districts

Brendan Hoffman/Bloomberg via Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — The Chamber of Commerce has become a major player in House races since only last week.

In yet another state where the presidential race is all but settled and the airwaves are relatively quiet, the U.S. Chamber will fill the void with a series of new ads. On Thursday, the Chamber will announce new TV ads in six New York districts, hitting Democrats on health care, spending, taxes and regulations.

The Chamber will also air TV ads defending two Democrats, Georgia Rep. John Barrow and Utah Rep. Jim Matheson (who faces a challenge from rising GOP star Mia Love), and a radio ad attacking Democrat Lois Frankel in Florida’s new 22nd District.

With ads in nine new districts, the Chamber is now involved in 19 House races.

Last week, the Chamber began its current House blitz with new TV ads in eight California districts. The group’s strategy, according to a spokesperson, is to target “orphan” districts in states where the presidential race is not competitive, and where fewer outside groups have advertised national messages on the airwaves. New York and California, two big states with many competitive races, fit the bill.

“We see an opportunity to impact these races in California with a major ad buy designed to provide support to the candidates who support free enterprise principles and draw a contrast with those who do not,” a Chamber official said.